Credit & Debt Repair Overview

Even if you are knee-deep in debt, you can start a credit and debt repair plan on your own and avoid the expensive fees associated with credit repair agencies. The Federal Trade Commission suggests you contact each creditor in writing to request a payment workout plan, negotiate with collectors for repayment of past due accounts and pay bills on time to help rebuild your credit. Request Workout Plan Write each creditor and explain your financial...

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How Can I Get a Creditor to Accept Less Than Full Payment?

When you have outstanding debt that you can no longer afford to make payments on, the result can be very stressful. Creditors and bill collectors might be hassling you day and night to get their money. Even though you can't afford to pay back the full amount, you do still have some negotiating power. Creditors want to get something from you, so you may be able to get them to accept less than full payment. Instructions 1 Figure out how much...

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Debt Garnishments on Social Security Benefits in Wisconsin

If a person owes money to another party, the creditor will sometimes bring a lawsuit against the debtor for payment. A creditor that wins such a suit will have several new options as for collecting the money owed. While wage garnishment may be available to him, he cannot likely garnish Social Security benefits. Garnishment Federal and state laws restrict the practice of garnishment in Wisconsin. A creditor can only garnish the wages of people who are above the federal poverty level. In addition, only certain types of income can be garnished....

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Does a Repossession Stop a Car Purchase?

When a person takes out a loan on a car, the loan is generally secured by the car itself, which acts as a form of collateral. If the borrower misses a number of payments on the car, the lender will generally have the right to seize the car, in a process known as repossession. Features When a lender repossesses a car, the borrower is not longer obligated to continue making payments on the car. The car is now legally transferred to the lender. However, the borrower this does not mean that borrower does not owe any additional money. He may,...

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How Does Being an Authorized User on a Credit Card Affect Your Credit Score?

When you open a new credit card, you have the ability to add authorized users to the account. This gives the authorized users the ability to spend with the card, but it can also affect those users' credit histories and credit scores. If you are an authorized user on a credit card account, you need to be aware of the potential impacts to your credit score. Credit Reporting When you are listed as an authorized user on a credit card account,...

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When Does a Collection Account Go to a Credit Report?

Any account owned by a collection agency is a collection account. Collection agencies buy unpaid consumer debts from creditors at a reduced rate. They then pursue each debtor for the full amount he originally owed. Collection agencies report their accounts to the credit bureaus. As soon as a collection agency reports a debt you owe to the credit bureaus, it appears on your credit reports and damages your credit rating. Credit Reporting Rights The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) contains a specific set of laws that all third-party...

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Credit Card Debt Consolidation Solutions

Debt consolidation not only puts multiple credit card balances into just one account to simplify the payment process, but it can also lower the monthly payment amount or secure a lower interest rate. Consumers have several options for how to consolidate credit card debt and the best option varies depending on the individual's circumstances and desired outcomes. Balance Transfers Most credit cards allow cardholders to transfer a balance from another card. If you have a credit card with a large enough credit line to hold all of your balances,...

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How to Stop Collections Agency Calls to the Previous Owner of My Telephone Number

Credit card and collection agency companies are persistent; they want their money and they want it right away. Some companies will call customers repeatedly, even after they have moved or changed telephone numbers. Often, informing the caller that the customer no longer owns your telephone number is not enough. If you are still getting calls from creditors who are looking for someone who you don't know, there is a way to force them to stop calling...

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North Carolina Deceased Debt Probate Law

North Carolina uses a standard probate process to settle a person's estate when she passes away. The probate process is designed to ensure all assets are accounted for and valued, all debts are paid in full and the wishes of the decedent are carried out according to the terms she set down in her will. If there was no will left, the state of North Carolina distributes remaining assets according to state law. Probate Case A probate court case is used to help transfer ownership, titles and deeds to real or personal property legally. Probate...

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How to Eliminate Bad Credit on Your Credit Report

A low FICO score and derogatory remarks on your credit report can stop you from getting a home loan, auto loan and other types of credit. And even if a lender approves you for financing with bad credit, this likely results in a high interest rate. Fortunately, you can reverse bad credit and clean up your credit report. Instructions 1 Submit payments to your creditor. A good payment history helps increase your FICO score and eliminate bad credit....

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How to Decrease the Interest on Your Student Loans

According to the Project on Student Debt, the typical 2009 college graduate had $24,000 in student loans, and many leave school owing $100,000 or more. Federal student loan programs typically offer the lowest interest rates, so students should tap this source first, but private lenders can also offer favorable terms if you shop around. Reducing your interest rate can reduce your monthly payments as well as your total amount due, but it requires dedication...

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How to Get Late Payments Removed from Credit Report

A late payment can drastically effect your credit score. Timely payments can contribute up to 35% of your credit score. This article will show you step by step on how to remove these late payments from your credit report. Instructions 1 Get a current credit report from the 3 major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and Transunion). Search your report for any errors on your report. If you find an error, file a claim with the credit bureau to have...

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How Does Credit Card Debt Accumulate?

Making Purchases Credit card accounts have revolving balances that allow cardholders to make purchases and pay later. Not Paying in Full Most credit cards give borrowers the option of paying the minimum amount, which is usually reflective of a small portion of the balance. For many consumers, it is simply too convenient or appealing to only pay a minimum amount each month. For other consumers, it's a financial necessity. Some cardholders...

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The Process of Rent to Own Computers

If you want to get a new computer you can either purchase it outright with cash to take full ownership or make regular payments per a leasing agreement. The latter arrangement is most common for a business computer rental. One other option that a computer shopper has is to enter into a rent-to-own agreement. Description A rent-to-own computer agreement is a borrowing arrangement where you make regular lease payments for the computer then opt to purchase it with cash after the term is up. The computer manufacturing company or an associated...

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DIY Debt Reducers

Being in debt is a major stress faced by millions of people worldwide. Sometimes the feeling of being in debt can feel like an inescapable, dark hole. When faced with this situation, it is important to know that the first step is realizing that you can take action to get yourself out of debt. Reducing the amount of money owed to other people and organizations can happen if you follow some basic steps. Avoid New Debt When faced with a seemingly...

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How Long Can Creditors Try to Collect on a Debt?

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act regulates what debt collectors can and cannot do as they attempt to collect from you. Although the federal law protects you in many ways, it does not include provisions for making debts disappear or expire. That means a debt collector could pursue you for the rest of your life for a debt that you legally owe. Misconceptions Delinquent debts such as old credit card accounts can be listed on your credit...

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How to Deal With Credit Calls

No one wants to be in debt, but when credit card bills get out of hand, debt collectors may call asking after the money you owe. The calls can get quite stressful--segueing into outright harassment at times--and as a consumer, you may wonder what you can do to stop them. Laws exist to protect consumers from harassing phone calls, and you can deal with the calls by taking a few simple steps. Instructions 1 Write down a log of phone calls from...

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Does a Debt Collection Agency Affect Credit Reports?

Having collection accounts on your credit reports has a long-term effect on your credit rating, even if you eventually pay off the accounts. Collection agencies have the same rights that creditors and lenders do when it comes to reporting the status of consumer accounts that creditors and lenders turn over to them. Process Collection agencies buy overdue debts from creditors, lenders, medical providers and others in an attempt to profit from collecting all or a portion of what consumers owe on those debts. New collection accounts usually...

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Do Not Call Letters for Debt Collection

If dealing with debt collectors has you at the end of your rope, take control of the situation and gain some relief from the endless barrage of phone calls. Take steps to enforce your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practice Act to help gain some peace of mind and some time to get your financial house of cards in order. Fair Debt Collection Practice Act The Fair Debt Collection Practice Act -- or FDCPA -- falls under the authority and oversight of the Federal Trade Commission. Adopted to protect consumers from abusive or deceptive...

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About Equifax Free Online Credit Reports

A credit report is one of the easiest ways to track your financial history. It lists each creditor you owe money to, your payment history, and any delinquent accounts. Other creditors and employers use credit reports to make decisions about issuing new credit or hiring you to work for their company. Equifax's free online credit reports provide you with multiple ways of viewing your personal credit history. You'll instantly be able to compare information...

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How Long Do Inquiries Affect Your FICO?

FICO scores are a three-digit representation of a borrower's credit report. The higher the score, the better the credit. Lenders and employers use this score when evaluating an individual for creditworthiness and employment. Inquiries can affect FICO scores. Personal Inquiries When a consumer orders his credit report and score, it is recorded as a "soft" inquiry. The request will not affect his FICO and is invisible to creditors or employers when reviewing his report. The inquiry will remain on his report for two years. Employer Inquiries...

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How to Remove Delinquencies From a Credit Report

Removing delinquent account entries from your credit report is entirely possible if you're willing to spend some money on it. Contrary to what lenders may initially tell you, all debts are simply contracts that can be renegotiated at any time. Creditors have a choice as to whether they report an account to the credit unions. It's well within the law for them to remove negative entries from credit reports, but they won't do it for free. Instructions...

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How to Establish Credit With No Checking Account

Having good credit is very important. If you are just stating out and want to build up credit there are some simple ways to go about it that require no checking account. Instructions 1 Get a credit card. Go online and fill out an application for a credit card. You will only get a small limit at first but thats fine. Once you get the card buy something and then pay it off quickly. Do not run the card to its maximum. It looks better on your credit report the more you have left on the card. Paying timely and paying off debt quickly is a great...

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Credit Card Debt Recovery Laws

Credit card debt is unsecured debt. If a borrower ceases to make his scheduled payments, the credit card company cannot claim any of his personal property in lieu of those payments. The creditor, however, has a legal right to the debt and will exercise all reasonable options in an attempt to recover it. Collections If your credit card debt defaults, your account will be turned over to a collection agency for recovery. All collection agencies...

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What Are DMP Fees in Credit Counseling?

A credit counseling agency may be able to assist you in understanding how to manage your debts. It may also set up payment plans with your creditors that are easier for you to afford than what you are currently paying. Credit counseling services, however, are not free, and the service may include DMP (or Debt Management Plan) fees. Facts DMP fees are levied if you are assigned a debt management program by your credit counseling agency. ...

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What Happens If I Close My Bank Account for the Payday Loans?

Payday loans are small loans issued on a short-term basis, usually less than a month. The term "payday" refers to the idea that the loans are made to a person who receives a paycheck, who will pay it back after his next payday. Many payday lenders require borrowers to provide a number for a bank account to which the lender can deposit and withdraw the money. Lending Money Before lending, payday lenders generally require that borrowers either make out a postdated check for the amount of the loan plus fees or provide an account number for...

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How to Negotiate a Credit Card Balance That Won't Result in a Charge-off

Your credit card company will expectedly charge off your account if you're more than six months past due. If nearing the six-month period, attempt to negotiate your balance for less than you owe to avert a charge-off and keep this derogatory item off your credit report. Instructions 1 Prepare your personal finances to settle the account. You will need a lump sum to negotiate your credit card balance. After careful review of your disposable cash, settle on an affordable amount. 2 Approach your credit card company. The company that handles...

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Can I Transfer a Line of Credit to Another Property?

Property used to secure a line of credit is called collateral. Real estate ranging from primary residences to undeveloped land serves as collateral, with creditors reserving the right to take the property if you default on the loan. Asking a lender to substitute collateral with another property will raise deep suspicions about your financial situation, with your request likely denied. Simply making the request could lead to a broad investigation...

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The Procedure to Lower Child Support Arrears in Texas

Owing back child support brings with it a lot of baggage. Children may believe a parent is disinterested in their well-being, and a Texas court might impose penalties that range from interest on the overdue support to potential jail time. For such reasons, eliminating child support in arrears often eases a lot of tension for all involved. In Texas, there are some specific steps required to lowering and eventually eliminating back child support. ...

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How to Fix My Credit After My Credit Cards Have All Been Charged Off

A credit card company may "charge off" your account after 180 days or six months of being late on payment. Just because your account is charged off does not mean that the credit card company has given up collecting the debt. The account is typically sent to in-house collections or an outside agency where it is reported to consumer credit bureaus and appears on your credit report. Fixing your credit after a charge off requires you to develop a budget...

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How to Respond to a Consumer Credit Summons

If a debt collector files a lawsuit against you, you will receive a legal notice called a summons. Usually the summons and the actual lawsuit---called a complaint---are hand-delivered by courier. The courier may attempt to deliver the summons to you at your residence or workplace. In some states, court officials send the summons and complaint by certified mail. Responding correctly to the summons is essential for avoiding a default judgment. Judges issue default judgments when defendants fail to show up for a court hearing or do not follow other...

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Who Can Ask for Your Credit Report?

Credit reports contain private information including current and past loans, credit accounts and any potentially outstanding accounts. It is important to know who can access that information. The Fair Credit Reporting Act enforced by the Federal Trade Commission states who has legal right to access your credit besides you. Insurance Companies When purchasing insurance for home, renting, vehicles or life, the issuing company has the right...

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What Wage Does a Nursing Assistant Make?

Nursing assistants, sometimes also referred to as nursing aides, work alongside doctors and registered nurses to help with basic medical and lifestyle tasks such as bathing and feeding patients. The average wage that a nursing assistant makes, as cited by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, can differ depending on where she works or lives. National Average The 1,438,010 nursing assistants in the United States -- the bureau estimates that this will rise 19 percent by 2018 -- earn an annual average of $24,980. When broken into percentiles,...

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What Happens if You Have a Student Loan and You Enter the Military?

Out of all groups of individuals repaying education debts, no group enjoys greater repayment benefits than the U.S. military. If you enter the military after completing your education, the military can help place you in a position within your chosen field of study while simultaneously repaying or forgiving your outstanding student loan debts. Your eligibility for loan forgiveness or repayment assistance services may vary depending on which military...

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Can a Civil Judgment Be Removed From a Credit Report?

If you are the defendant in a lawsuit and lose the case, the court will grant a civil judgment to the plaintiff. Judgments are typically the result of lawsuits over unpaid debts. The judgment not only grants the plaintiff the right to use more aggressive methods when collecting the debt, it also appears on your credit report. Time Frame Civil judgments are severely derogatory public records that have an adverse effect on your credit score. Fortunately, they don't remain a part of your credit history indefinitely. The Fair Credit Reporting...

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How to Get Out of Default on School Loans

Not repaying your school loans places your debt into "default" status. According to the National Consumer Law Center, federal student loans fall into default after you miss nine months of payments. Private student loans, however, can fall into default if you miss a single monthly payment. The process for getting out of default on your student loans differs depending on whether your loans are private or federal. If you leave your loans in default,...

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How to Repair Credit Charge-Offs

A charge-off is a negative entry on your credit report, indicating that you defaulted on a credit agreement. After about six months of missed payments, creditors typically will close your account and list it internally as a write-off for tax purposes. You remain responsible for the debt, and the charge-off is listed on your credit report. Charge-offs hurt your credit score and can make it difficult to be approved for new credit. The Federal Trade Commission reports that charge-offs will remain on your credit report for seven years, and cannot be...

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Does Debt Get Passed Down to Heirs?

When you die, your loved ones assume ownership and responsibility for your assets and possessions. Debts you owe are not an asset but a liability. Provided your loved ones never signed a contract agreeing to pay the original creditor, they are not liable for your debts and cannot directly inherit them. Your creditors, however, can still pursue payment from the estate you leave behind. Inheriting Secured Assets Any creditor that holds a security interest in an asset can repossess that asset should timely payments stop arriving--even if the...

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